by Aiden Eksteen
Every luxury automaker builds an SUV, but Mercedes arguably pioneered the segment long before it became such a dominant corner of the market and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV is at the very top of the pile when it comes to the Mercedes hierarchy. The S-Class of SUVs is what Mercedes touts this model as, packing a slew of technological advancements into a three-row large luxury SUV. Power is available in two standard flavors - a 3.0-liter inline-six with turbocharging worth 362 horsepower, or a version of the ubiquitous 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 483 hp, both with the brand's EQ Boost hybridization. The brand's 4MATIC AWD system is standard, as is a buttery-smooth nine-speed automatic. Up against the BMW X7, Land Rover Discovery, and to a certain degree, full-size truck-based SUVs in the US like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, the GLS-Class brings a touch of European sophistication to a family-sized package. But is it deserving of the "S-Class of SUVs" designation? Perhaps not, as it lacks the polish of the S-Class Sedan where it matters most.
Newly introduced for the 2020 model year, Mercedes has seen fit to improve the 2021 GLS-Class in a number of ways. On even the entry-level GLS 450 4MATIC, you'll now find ventilated front seats, quad-zone climate control, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Parking damage detection and a new alarm system feature across all models, and the optional features list has been revised to include power rear side-window sunshades as a standalone item on the base model, the Driver Assistance Package Plus on both derivatives, and a spate of new upholstery options. AMG and Maybach variants have been added to the lineup, but both are reviewed separately.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLS 450 4MATIC |
3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$76,000 |
| GLS 580 4MATIC |
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$98,850 |
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
Available as a 6-seater or 7-seater, versatility is the name of the game for the 3-row Mercedes GLS-Class SUV. Both powertrains are gloriously smooth, and the fact that they're found in a plethora of other Mercedes models bodes well for the SUV's reliability rating as a whole. While no safety rating is available from an American agency, this third-generation GLS-Class (including its time as the GL-CLass before being renamed in 2016) comes with the latest semi-autonomous driving capabilities and a range of passive safety systems to keep you out of incidents and protected in case one does occur. But for its size, the third row disappointed with a lack of legroom, and the compromise made in having such a large vehicle is felt when driving over uneven roads, where the body flexes and the dash creaks excessively, robbing it of a little bit of the luxury it aims to achieve. This is no off-roader, but it's also not a real S-Class in the way it drives. Still, as something more wieldy than a full-size American SUV, it's a viable alternative. For its price, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV isn't quite a new Escalade, but not everyone wants that larger-than-life behemoth.
Both available trims are similarly specced, with the primary differentiator being wha's under the hood. The smooth straight-six has repeatedly won over CarBuzz testers in any review scenario of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and its stablemates, and with added luxury like ventilated front seats and quad-zone climate for 2021 (five-zone in the GLS 580), it no longer feels cut-rate compared to the GLS 580. However, there's no denying the smoothness and the aural delight that is Mercedes' V8 engine. With EQ Boost assistance, there exists not a patch of lag nor dearth of power in any scenario. Plus, there are bragging rights. Regardless of which you choose, the dual 12.3-inch MBUX screens, Burmester sound system, 9 USB ports, LED headlights, surround-view camera, active park assist, keyless entry and start, ambient lighting and more are all standard. The 580 gets 21-inch alloys instead of the 450's 20-inch items, but the difference in ride quality can easily be smoothed out by the available E-Active Body Control system (highly recommended). We'd also spec second-row captain's chairs so that all six occupants can enjoy the space and ease of access a little more. With the 580 starting at $98,850, it's a lot of money, but worth it.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo